Goewey, David

PERSONAL: Born in Ossining, NY.

ADDRESSES: Home—New York, NY. Agent—c/o Crown Publicity, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

CAREER: Writer.

WRITINGS:

Crash Out: The True Tale of a Hell's Kitchen Kid and the Bloodiest Escape in Sing Sing History, Crown (New York, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: David Goewey's first book, Crash Out: The True Tale of a Hell's Kitchen Kid and the Bloodiest Escape in Sing Sing History, tells the story of a group of Depression-era criminals and their attempted escape from one of America's most notorious prisons. The son and grandson of guards at the prison, the author reports on several famous stories about Sing Sing but focuses primarily on "Whitey" Riordan and "Patches" Waters, two young toughs from New York who were members of the "Shopping Bag Gang." The two are eventually captured for armed robbery and sentenced to Sing Sing in 1940. When they decide to break out, they team up another prisoner named Charlie McGale. In the process of their escape, they kill a prison guard and a policeman, only to be captured within hours a short distance from the prison; this leads to their brutal interrogation. "The notorious Sing Sing prison may be the most memorable character in this grim tale of crime and punishment," wrote a Kirkus Reviews contributor, while a Publishers Weekly writer commented that the author has a "polish and a gift for crafting a gripping narrative." The critic added that Goewey does a good job of describing the tough childhood and life of the criminals and that Goewey's talent "will lead many to hope he turns his attention to other forgotten tales." Booklist writer Connie Fletcher commented that "Goewey has translated family familiarity into a gripping insider's account" and added that the author "produces a grim but fascinating snapshot of Depression-era crime."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 15, 2005, Connie Fletcher, review of Crash Out: The True Tale of a Hell's Kitchen Kid and the Bloodiest Escape in Sing Sing History, p. 8.

Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2005, review of Crash Out, p. 955.

Publishers Weekly, September 5, 2005, review of Crash Out, p. 49.